[ISN] Zambian parliament passes tough cyber crime law

[InfoSec News]

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/08/11/1092102488282.html

Lusaka
August 11, 2004

Zambia's parliament has unanimously passed a tough law to curb cyber
crime that would see convicted computer hackers and other offenders
get jail sentences ranging from 15 to 25 years.

The Computer Misuse and Crimes law, which was passed by lawmakers
without any debate on Tuesday, will come into effect after President
Levy Mwanawasa gives his presidential assent.

"If there is no debate or objection, then the bill passes third
reading," said deputy speaker Jason Mvula when the bill was presented
for the last stage of enactment in the National Assembly.

The government said the new law would help curb cyber crimes that had
become a problem in the poor southern African country where only one
in 1000 people have access to computers, according to unofficial
figures.

The new law enjoys support from bankers and some computer experts who
argue that electronic fraud has become rampant in the country's
financial sector.

The most famous cyber offence in Zambia was committed by a young
computer expert who accessed the State House website and replaced the
picture of then president Frederick Chiluba with a cartoon.

He was arrested and charged with defaming the head of state but the
case was dropped as there was no provision in Zambian law to deal with
cyber crimes.

AFP